Maybe I’m just Longsighted, but Arsenal fans don’t know how good they have got it with Welbeck

September 5, 2014

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, two hours after expected, the summer transfer window ‘slammed shut’. Because it never just closes does it? As the closing minutes brought United fans a strange kind of ecstasy – one which we would never have allowed ourselves to dream of when settling in the evening before – with the signing of Radamel Falcao on loan, there was a somewhat empty feeling left in the stomach at the sale of fan’s favourite, Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for £16million.

Undoubtedly the two deals both going down to the wire was no coincidence, with the reliance on Falcao’s switch from Monaco going through before any move for Welbeck to the Emirates would be given the green light. Given the option, it goes without saying that almost any fan would take the Colombian goal machine at their club ahead of the England frontman, but it still hurts to lose one of your own.

Rumours of various comings and goings were rife throughout the summer, but all the talk of an exit for Welbeck seemed illogical and baffling given our attacking options, and with the introduction of James Wilson into this season’s first team squad, only an exit for Javier Hernandez – who also made a late loan switch to Real Madrid – seemed like a plausible option. Certainly losing both seemed out of the question.

However in the remaining days, it appeared as though Welbeck’s fate was sealed, after seemingly being told he would be behind Rooney, Van Persie and even Wilson in the pecking order, with the availability of Monaco’s Falcao proving the final nail in the coffin.

My first encounter of Welbeck came in the FA Youth Cup Semi-Final at Old Trafford, ironically against the team that 7 years later he would go on to join. I was eager to see the rangy, local forward turning out that day, having heard positive things throughout the season. His ability to bring others into play immediately struck me, along with his ability to aptly slot easily into either the centre forward’s role, or more of a wide position.

The 16-year-old from Longsight scored United’s fourth that day and was largely instrumental in a 4-2 win – securing a final place against Liverpool. His destiny in the United first team squad was apparent and made his Premier League debut little over a year later at Old Trafford, replacing Ji-Sung Park in a 5-0 victory over Stoke.

His Premier League introduction proved that he had something about him, leaving a lasting memory at Old Trafford, playing a neat one-two with Manucho before unleashing a stunning 30-yard drive for United’s fourth that day.

A loan spell at Sunderland in the 2010-11 season gave him the Premier League exposure needed giving him the chance to perform week in week out at the top level. There he proved more than capable, running the show in a 3-0 victory over Chelsea – his standout performance at the Black Cats. Rumours that the Weirsiders wanted to make the deal permanent were dashed with Welbeck returning to the United first team set up the following season.

He kept Dimitar Berbatov out of the team at the beginning of that season, impressing in the Community Shield, before netting in early wins over both Tottenham and Arsenal before a hamstring injury ruled him out. He went on to score 12 times in his first full season, bettered only by Wayne Rooney and proving an essential member of the United squad.

Being perhaps not the most glamorous or flamboyant of frontmen, Welbeck’s qualities tend to go unnoticed – mainly by fans of other Premier League clubs – with his lack of goals cited among the “He’s shit” arguments, a point largely moot given that an out and out goalscorer is something he has never claimed or threatened to be. General consensus amongst many Arsenal fans on hearing of the move being the “Oh God, not Danny Welbeck” approach. Astounding naivety.

It’s happened many times before, England fans for example fail to recognise the role Carrick could have played over the last decade, blindsided by the cluster-fuck of the Gerrard/Lampard partnership and they fact that they could each net 20+ goals a season or had a higher market value on Football Manager.

Welbeck’s ability to stretch defences and run channels brings others into play perhaps making him a more credible candidate to feature alongside either Rooney or Van Persie in a front two given their seeming lack of understanding and chemistry.

He has already proved that he can handle the big occasion, netting United’s opener against Real Madrid at the Bernebeau a few seasons back, before being our biggest threat in our most recent Champions league exit to Bayern Munich. More decisive finishing from him in that tie may have seen a different outcome, but his effort and work rate alone allows more chances to be created.

While it’s a shame to see the likes of Welbeck go as I feel he still had a great deal to offer our side, his deal represents superb value for money for Arsenal. To put things in perspective, The Gunners – who are without a recognised centre-forward due to Giroud’s injury – have a young but experienced Premier League and Champions League frontman for the same price as Liverpool paid for Balotelli, without any of the same risk.

Or to rub salt into our wounds, we received the same for a recognised international forward, as we paid for Wilfried Zaha.

The unselfish nature of his play and ability to bring into play those around him should bode well for him at Arsenal, and given the chance to be the focal point of their attack will no doubt bring him plenty more goals and assists.

His desire and hunger made him a standout choice for the big games, because most importantly, he was United through and through. A Manchester lad who had been at the club since he was eight years of age. Someone who knew exactly what it meant to play for Manchester United. Welbeck’s exit means that Tyler Blackett will be the only real local vying for a realistic place in the first team squad, but while suggestions are made that the sale ditches United’s philosophy of promoting from within are absurd. Wholesale changes to the squad were clearly needed hence the large outlay on transfers this summer, but along with this came the appointment of a manager who has a reputation perhaps above any of giving chances to academy players.

We have every reason to be excited about Wilson, as well as Blackett, Reece James and others who may follow over the coming years, but while we say goodbye to Welbeck, the love affair is not necessarily over just yet.

We’ve enjoyed Danny for what he is, and now it’s about time others started doing the same.

12 Comments

Super, super Dan, super super Dan, super Danny Welbeck, its a real shame Welbz is no longer here, Manchester lad through and through whos ability is underrated, if he was as bad as people say why did SAF play him all the time in the big games, as I stated the other day, a talented longsight lad has been allowed to leave, yet a scouse mercenary is captain, something is not right their. He will do great things at Arsenal I am sure because hes a very good player, now theirs only Blackett left from Manchester thats knocking on the door, shame really

At times Danny was brilliant but quite often very frustrating with his decision making (last Bayern home match for example). I used to hate some of his fast runs when he would tend to leave the ball behind and waste decent situations.

Also it is very disappointing if comments attributed to him after his move to Arsenal are true. If he dreamt of playing for Arsenal and admired their players, why didn’t he seek to a move there before being kicked out of OT by LVG. I accept that being a local lad he must be gutted not to be a United player anymore but It would have been better if out of respect for United (if he still has any) he kept his mouth shut.

Luckily, some of us can see exactly how good (or bad) Arsenal have it with Welbeck. They can expect him to shuffle his feet at the last minute to squander a chance one on one with the goalkeeper. They can expect him to really trouble opposition defenders, without scoring. Am glad LVG doesnt give a toss about the fact that he is home grown. If u aint good enough for the team, you aint good enough period. Let nobody hang on to the fact that the were born near OT to somehow believe that they have the right to wear the jersey.
Lastly, when Ander Herrera puts in a sumptous through ball, i will be sooooo happy that it is Falcao meeting it enroute to scoring and not Welbeck enroute to squandering.

1. He was sold too cheap, that's a steal
2. Does he have a buyback clause
3. We sold Welbeck yet keep Rooney and RVP who has underperformed since the start of this year.
4. A front 3 of Sanchez-Welbeck-Walcott is deadly. Now Arsenal has the ability to counter attack and defend from the front.
5. Regarding Scholes comment, he may not get 20-25 goals, but his play will bring Ramsey, Sanchez, Walcott, Ozil and others to score. He may only get 10 league goals a season, but his team will score ~120.
6. I'm dreading he will be the new "Ronnie Whelan" of Arsenal.
7. I fear we repeat the Garry Birtles-Andy Ritchie with this Falcao-Welbz. Although it can be Argued RVP, Rooney and Falcao against Welbeck. Proven footballers who can't find their feet at OT and the one who left becomes great elsewhere(Birtles did have 2 european cups to his name)
8. RVP, Rooney and Falcao have injury concerns and are on the rapid decline. They also seem to not have what it is to take at the big games. RVP and Rooney have bad games against great opposition, and Falcao hasn't tasted UCL yet.

About Welbeck's finishing. Actually his predator instinct is great. It is his brain that needs moulding. You can see when he is just given an unpredictable situation and no time to think, he usually gets a goal out of nowhere. While when he is given time to think, he usually squanders.

This isn't on Utd,Danny wanted to leave he'd could've gone on a year loan to Spurs but wanted a permanent deal away,that's his choice.LVG was fine with him staying he didn't want that,he sees Gunners are weak up front and Grioud is injured so he's taking his chance to be a number 1 striker simple as
This isn't about poor Danny he was bitching and wanted out last season because he was being played wide yet he had no problem playing wide for England.
It was up to Danny to stay and fight for his place all 3 in front of him have had injury issues,he took the easy out

It isn't up to danny to stay and fight for his place. Aloysius Maria makes the decision, and when RVP, Rooney, and Falcao are ahead of him, plus Wilson. Then I am sure i can say we dumped him.

A loan to spurs will just be an act of the club to just keep Welbeck. If you aren't respected by the club, even when you gave better than the others, it's logical you want to be out.

Spurs has strikers that he has to compete with, and Arsenal are weak upfront. it's more logical that Danny went to Arsenal. plus their game and team suits him. a beautiful passing game with goal scorers from many sources, with Danny providing strength and speed beside skills.

He was sold too cheaply? Based on what exactly? The only reason he commanded as much as he did is because he's English. If he was from Belarus, we'd have been lcky to get 10 mill.

Why would he have a "buyback" clause? I wasn't sold to some tin pot outfit that need to sell. Arsenal are probably the most financially astute clubs in Europe.

Yes, Ronney and RVP have underperformed, but so have the entire team. Look at the dross that's been playing behind them.

Rooney and RVP who has underperformed since the start of this year.

A front 3 of Sanchez-Welbeck-Walcott is deadly? Again, based on what exactly... it sure as hell isn't their records. Sanchez is a very good player. Yes, he had 3-4 seasons with Barca where he averaged a goal every other game but you'd expect that playing for them. Walcott only averages 1 in 4-5, the same as Welbeck. None of that 3 are out and out forwards, ours are... and that includes Rooney.

He may create more chances for the others, but it doesn't hide the fact that his natural disposition is to not score. Hardly the traits of a "deadly" forward. Our triumvirate have and are capable of hitting 30+ a season.

RVP, Rooney and Falcao have injury concerns and are on the rapid decline? Rapid decline? Based on what again? We probably HAVE seen the best of Rooney and RVP but they are STILL more capable and more dangerous than Danny Welbeck. Always have been... always will be. Ask anyone if the had a choice between any of these players in a one on one situation and who'd they pick... Welbeck would be resoundingly last. As for Falcao not tasting UCL yet. Have you seen who he's played and scored against? That is a redundant point.

All of the knicker wetting over Danny "I'm from Longsight me" Welbeck. I don't care if his Mother popped him out on Matt Busby way... he's not and never will be good enough to take us to the next level, let alone play catch up.

Very good article. I always like welbeck.. But honestly we wanted him to stay with more sentimental reason . We all wanted welbeck to improve and score goals but he did mess up. Like Wayne said it was welbeckw ho wanted to go. He could have gone for loan but he wanted to leave and I can't blame him. He wanted to play regularly as a striker so kudos to the lad.

I think the signing of di Maria proved costly for welbeck than falcaos signing. Welbeck was mainly used as a wing forward now we have di Maria in that position. So Danny had to go.